The people of Chesterfield are being urged to support a winter night shelter project for the town’s homeless people.

Eight local church venues will take part in the initiative, which is being led by Derby City Mission and will operate between December 1 and March 31.

Chesterfield Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and Bolsover District Council are investing £25,000 in the project, which will cost between £30,000 and £40,000 to run – leaving a shortfall of at least £10,000 which needs to be raised locally.

Phil Morton, head of relief of poverty at Derby City Mission, said: “Opening up venues around the town will allow people who would otherwise sleep on the street come in, get warm, be dry, be cared for and given something to eat and drink.

“This isn’t a solution to homelessness – but what it is doing is getting them to engage and we are then able to build relationship with them to help them to find a more permanent solution to their homeless situation. We will do this by working with other agencies and organisations in the town to support the individuals who access the shelter.

“I see the night shelter as part of the pathway that gets people out of sleeping rough and into accommodation that works for them, with the support and care they may need along the way.”

He added: “I think there is a lot of interest in Chesterfield to help in this way.

“For many people they see a homeless people and want to help but don’t always know the best way to do that.

“But by coming and volunteering or giving items or financial donations to the project, people will know they are making a genuine and real difference in the lives of these people, which is what we all want.”

According to latest Government figures, 12 people in Chesterfield were thought to be sleeping rough each night in autumn last year – up from six in 2010.

The Derbyshire Times understands the winter night shelter project will deal with genuine homeless issues rather than anti-social problems.

Derby City Mission operates a night shelter project in Derby.

Its website states: “Working with an army of volunteers, we provide safe accommodation and a substantial meal for up to 35 guests each night during the coldest months of the year (December to March).